Japan's H-beam prices up $15/t on supply tightness

By August 2, Japan's H-beam prices had increased by Yen 2,000/tonne ($15/t) on week after having remained flat since end-June over the supply tightness. Although producers have been holding their prices, distributors will continue targeting higher prices in response to further hikes by producers, market sources shared.

As of Tuesday morning, deals for SS400 grade 200x100mm H-beams were being transacted in Tokyo at Yen 125,000-126,000/t, up Yen 2,000/t on month, and the prices were up by Yen 15,000/t from January, sources confirmed. A Tokyo-based construction steel trader observed that dealers had been targeting higher prices for them